Shopper News blog: Fair to feature modern crafts with a retro twist
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HALLS
Fair to feature modern crafts with a retro twist
Ali James, Shopper News correspondent
Retropolitan Craft Fair will return for its ninth event 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday May 6, and this time at The Mill and Mine.
It’s the first time at the Mill and Mine and the biggest fair to date. “We are trying a lot of new things, since we have so much space,” said founder and director Alyssa Maddox. New this year are free DIY crafting stations in the loft and a children’s activity area.
“Our sponsor, Smart + Becker, coordinated makers to offer tutorials in hand lettering, jewelry making and embroidery,” she said. In another space, “Monsters Made with Love” will show kids how to sew a monster and purchase a kit to make their own at home.
“I noticed all of these indie craft events in bigger cities,” said Maddox, of her initial idea. “I went to one in Nashville and thought we could do it in Knoxville.”
It was three years before she took the plunge.
“My friend put on a big music festival and I thought if she could do it, I could,” said Maddox. After she recruited longtime friends Taylor Harris and Lacey Strike, they hosted their first event six months later at Relix on Central.
The trio branded the craft fair with a nickname. “My cousin’s girlfriend called me 'Retropolitan' because I like to wear vintage mixed with modern clothes,” said Maddox. “And we wanted to do a modern take on the craft fair.
“I’ve always liked to make things, but you have to be really skilled to make those polished products to sell. I’m more of an organizer, and this is the way I can be involved in the maker community.”
Sixty vendors applied to participate in the May 6 event, but Maddox and her team whittled the final list down to 45. “It’s about quality,” she explained. “They have to have a strong web presence, a successful online business and even sell at brick and mortar stores.”
Retropolitan Craft Fair features jewelry, paper products, home goods, beauty products and handcrafted items for men. Vendors are featured on Instagram @retrocraftfair.
For Maddox, who lives in Fountain City and organizes Retropolitan from her home, it’s a nice change from her day job — working on true crime stories for a local production company.
“We have a photo booth and a bar, we play Indie and Motown music and try to make it a fun hang-out-and-shop vibe,” said Maddox.
At the spring event, Gelato Brothers and Hawg Dogs will be feeding hungry shoppers. Mobile boutiques Vagabondary in a 1978 VW van and Circa Wear, a retro style T-shirt company, will be parked outside The Mill and Mine.
Sponsors include Rala, The Maker City, Freedom Chiropractic (offering free adjustments), Three Rivers Market handing out bags, and Nothing Too Fancy, partnering with Retropolitan to release new enamel pins.
“We have learned through trial and error what is right for the Knoxville crowd,” said Maddox. “They need a reason to buy, so we have our fair right before Mother’s Day and Christmas. We are just as cool as other cities, but we are different.”
HALLS
Eagle Scout project improves Halls Outdoor Classroom
Ruth White, Shopper News
Halls High student Brendan Zaher is working toward earning the honor of Eagle Scout, and the Outdoor Classroom at Halls High School is the beneficiary of his hard work.
Zaher and a group of Scouts and family members gathered at the site on Saturday, April 14, and wasted no time replacing the seat portion of the 12 benches and building a new podium in the learning area.
The goal was for the majority of the project to be completed by Tuesday, April 17, in time for the 11th annual Halls Outdoor Classroom Celebration. The group will return to assemble and install a whiteboard and to apply water sealant to the wood.
Brendan expressed his appreciation of the support from everyone, calling the effort "tremendous." He also expressed thanks to Lowe's and Home Depot for donation of supplies.
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POWELL
Community Center a 'blessing' for seniors
Mike Blackerby, Shopper News correspondent
It doesn’t take long to realize that Janice White loves her job.
White is the director and the board chairman of the Community Center in Powell, which serves more than 300 area seniors a month.
“I get the joy of seeing the people that come in and just need somewhere to go,” said White.
“People know they can come here, grab a paper, drink a cup of coffee and play games or socialize. We do something different every day here.”
The center, which is run by the Heiskell Community Organization, is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Seniors can choose from a packed monthly schedule of games, bingo, crafts, exercise classes and dance lessons.
Free luncheons are served Monday through Thursday at the center in downtown Powell at 1708 West Emory Road.
The marquee event each month is a popular breakfast for area veterans from 8 to 9:30 a.m. on the third Saturday. The program also features a different guest speaker each month. A recent breakfast for veterans and their spouses drew 112 people.
“Our breakfast program is free,” said White. “We want our veterans to be honored and feel special.”
When the Community Center opened in January 2016, White said it immediately filled a huge void. “Seniors are a big underserved population,” she explained.
“We really have found it’s a blessing because we have been able to reach out to the community. We saw a need for a senior center in the Heiskell-Powell area.”
White gave kudos to Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett and county commissioners for making the Community Center a reality.
“We worked out a deal with Mayor Burchett, that, if the county would buy the building, we would pay for it (its operation) and run it. He (Burchett) made it happen and all of the commissioners were so good to vote for it. It has all worked out real well.”
White explained that personal and corporate donations are used to operate the Community Center.
The seniors at the Community Center also give back.
They make blankets and toboggans for the Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center and also provide supplies and tote bags for several area schools at Christmas, according to White.
“It gives them (our seniors) a purpose and a reason to get over here. They love to do things like that and give back.”
White said she can’t wait to see what the next day holds at the Community Center. She invites seniors to come on down and find out.
“There are days when I go home that I’m just filled with joy.”
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GIBBS
Gibbs High Eagles of the Month
Gibbs High School recently announced the students selected as March Eagles of the Month.
Selections are made by staff members and are awarded for good grades, participation in the classroom and positive attitude. On occasion, the honor is given to a student who may have fallen on rough times but chose to work hard and make improvements in grades and attitude.
Representing the ninth grade are Lidia Biggs and Elijah Eisele. Lidia has been called "a wonderfully conscientious student who is always prepared for class." She is known for working well with others and being willing to try new activities. Elijah started in band as a beginner on alto sax. He has worked hard to improve skills at a rapid pace to become a contributing member of the concert band.
Sophomore Eagles are Caleb Canfield and Jennifer Clark. Caleb is a member of the band and has put in many hours of practice at home to prepare for chair-placement auditions. As a result, he earned second-chair percussion as a sophomore. Jennifer is known for being willing to participate in class and help others. One teacher commended her for working hard and always being cheerful in class.
Junior students honored are Abigail Bilkey and Johnathon Salmans. Abigail has been called "a pleasure to have in class" by her chemistry teacher. The class is at the end of the day and Abigail is known for being a wonderful student. Johnathon is recognized for taking great notes in class, participating in discussions and his stellar test scores.
Senior class members recognized are Breana Benton and Tyler White. Breana goes above and beyond helping in the classroom and with athletics with clerical duties. She has taken on the added responsibilities with a smile, while working a part time job after school and maintaining a respectable grade point average. Tyler is known for giving 100 percent of his attention in class, asking questions and helping his peers when needed.
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KARNS
West Park Baptist holds Community Service Day
Nancy Anderson, Shopper News correspondent
West Park Baptist Church was blessed with beautiful weather and more than 500 smiling faces for its third annual Community Service Day on Saturday, April 14.
Attendees were treated to a number of free services, from a 100-point auto check to car washing to a health screening fair.
Pastor of Community Care Al Cage said the day was helpful to everyone but particularly seniors who took advantage of the car care.
“The experience starts off with a 100-point auto check. Everyone gets a certificate for a free oil change from Cedar Bluff Auto Care and they come away with a checklist of things they might have to have looked at. We’ll put oil in the car if they’re low and air in the tires if they’re low; we’ll even clean cloudy headlights, but there are things that might come up that we can’t fix. When they go to a repair shop they’ll have a high degree of confidence to know what they need and not pay for things they don’t need. That’s helpful to everyone, but especially seniors.”
After the auto care inspection, each car is given a good scrub by the church’s youth group.
Knoxville Comprehensive Breast Center mobile van was in the parking lot ready to perform mammograms and the Red Cross was on hand with its mobile blood bus to collect donations.
Inside the church was a health screening fair offering a number of services, from blood pressure checks to cholesterol screening to help with smoking cessation.
Cage said he’d like to see more people take advantage of the health screening opportunities.
“We have 50 health care service providers including UT Medical, LMU Nursing School, and the veterans association who are on hand to let veterans know what services are available to them.
“Next year we’ve got to get the word out more about the health care portion of our Community Service Day. We want people to take advantage of this unique opportunity from so many service providers in one place, and it’s free.”
Some of the 200 volunteers worked offsite doing spring beautification projects at Cedar Bluff Middle School and at Dogwood Terrace senior living community.
Cage summed up the day, saying “Service is the heart of our church. We want to be here and be of service to our community.
“Jeremiah 29:7 basically says God has put us here in the place to be a blessing to this place. Today is just a great opportunity to give back and try to be a blessing.”
BEARDEN
Lakeshore Park blooms with thousands of bulbs
John Shearer, Shopper News correspondent
Some of the newly completed paths at Lakeshore Park are not part of a yellow brick road, but a yellow bulb road might be a pretty accurate description.
In somewhat of a surprise to all but those overseeing the park’s planning and maintenance, yellow daffodils began appearing this month in large pockets along the new paved walking and jogging path close to the new restroom building.
“There are 14,000 daffodil bulbs that were planted last fall,” said Cardin Bradley, the park’s director of development. “They are the Dutch Master variety.”
Because of their new planting, they came out a little later than most daffodils already in the ground do around Knoxville, but they have apparently drawn rave “better-late-than-never” reviews among the numerous park visitors.
The scene has actually just been the beginning of a fashion-like show of spring colors over the next few days and weeks, according to Bradley. About 12 new dogwood trees in the middle of one of the larger daffodil patches began blooming last week about the time the daffodils were fading out, and purplish oriental magnolias have also blossomed.
“There are more things that will come up later, like alliums and daylilies, plus lots of blooming shrubs,” said Bradley. “We are hopeful all of the blooming plants around Marble Hall (the old chapel) will be back, including the rose beds, and we will be replanting the big planters in the next couple of weeks.”
Before all the work began two or three years ago on removing old buildings and doing new landscaping and construction, an area just north of the chapel featured two of the larger old boxwoods in Knoxville. However, they were later taken out due to other plans for that site.
While flowers like daffodils are usually nature’s heralds of spring, in this case they signaled the touch-up landscaping that is part of the end of the Phase 1A redevelopment plan declared completed on April 13. And Phase 1A included several man-made features to entice and entertain park goers along with the natural greenery.
“The last improvements to be completed were the Sector 3 pier and boardwalk along the Tennessee River and the Sector 1 trail section, pier and picnic area along Fourth Creek,” said Bradley.
The latter features a 50-foot fishing pier and a 250-foot-long seating and picnic area near a scenic cove by the southwest corner of the park.
Also, Bradley said a new trail has opened along the banks of Fourth Creek. It is approximately 1,750 feet long, is fully lighted with seating areas, and offers a wooded alternative to the other trail, which will remain next to the soccer fields.
The boardwalk is a 300-foot stretch along the river between the upper and lower baseball field complexes and runs over a natural marsh filled with native plants. A 90-foot pier has also been constructed from the boardwalk to the river’s edge, she said.
“These are beautiful areas and we think they will be very popular with the public,” Bradley added.
SHOPPER NEWS
'Pinhole' photography – selfies without phones
Carol Z. Shane, Shopper News correspondent
Bearden High School fine arts teacher Victoria May recently introduced her students to a photographic treat; they got to make pinhole cameras when The Big Camera! – Camera Obscura and Portable Classroom came their way.
Run by Anna Lawrence, Donna Moore and John Allen, The Big Camera! is a modified enclosed cargo trailer that functions as an extra-large-format camera as well as a portable classroom and community outreach vehicle for the Knoxville Community Darkroom and A1 LabArts; the literal camera-on-wheels measuring 6' x 10' and all that goes with it are made possible in large part through the Anne and Steve Bailey Opportunity Grant. It’s a throwback to historical ways of working in photography, which often required onsite processing in vehicles such as wagons.
According to its website, “The group has taught classes or demonstrated photography in places such as the Community Law Office’s youth art program, The Emporium Arts Center, Mountain Makin’s Festival, and area K-12 schools. The Big Camera is intended to share the magic of photography though making its principles hands-on, allowing photography to come alive in a new way for many who encounter it.”
At BHS, the kids made 25 pinhole cameras. The art of making photographs by using the simplest of materials – essentially a box with a tiny aperture on one side – goes back over 160 years. Photographic paper is placed on the side opposite the pinhole, resulting in unique images with a handmade feel. Subjects drawn from nature – leaves, flowers, even insect carcasses – can make very interesting pinhole photos.
The students learned about all these and more, but “the overwhelmingly popular shot was the selfie!” says Lawrence.
Now’s the chance for you and your kids to discover this fascinating, fun historical pastime for yourselves. The Big Camera! plans a two-part event this coming weekend in observance of Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 28, you can make your own pinhole camera at A1 Lab Arts, 23 Emory Place in downtown Knoxville. Then, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., come on down to Central Filling Station, the city’s first full-service food truck park, at 900 N. Central Avenue, to create photos and gather with other enthusiasts. Online registration for the whole thing is only $25. And it’ll be an outing unlike any other you’ve ever had.
“There is no better way, perhaps, to understand a subject than by becoming fully immersed in it, and in this case that means, literally entering into a life sized camera!” says Lawrence. “Pinhole photography is accessible to any age, and you can make a camera using so many objects: an Altoids tin, a round oatmeal container, a suitcase. Truly the only limit is your imagination.”
Info: bigcamera.org.
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WORDS OF FAITH
Find a way to say what matters most
Tom Ogburn, Shopper News columnist
On my office wall hangs a framed 5x7 black and white photo. It is quite special to me. It was given to me as a gift from a friend when I lived in Oklahoma.
His work carried him all over the state, and one day he saw something that reminded him of me. On the rusty trestle of an old railway bridge someone had spray painted “I (heart) Beth.” He stopped and snapped a picture of it. He told me he had heard me profess my great love for my wife on multiple occasions, and observed that while he knew I did not paint the trestle, he thought it looked like something that I might have wanted to do.
Every time I glance over at the picture, it makes me smile. I think about my friend and the love I have for my wife.
I am glad I spoke so often of my love for my wife that I came to mind when he saw the romantic graffiti. Sometimes I wonder who painted his public profession of love for his Beth. I know that he had to be considerably younger that I am because he had to be nimble enough to lean over the bridge rail to complete his task. I wonder if he still proclaims his love for his Beth, or has moved on to another. What I do know, is that I am glad that I can claim his work as a way to celebrate my love for my Beth.
On eight Saturdays in the fall, the area around our church is awash in a sea of orange. Fans join over 100,000 others in Neyland Stadium to yell and cheer for Tennessee. If you wonder if they are a Vol for Life, just ask them.
I was in a hospital elevator and encountered a nice lady who was a new grandmother. I had never met her before, but that did not seem to matter. Less than a day after the birth of the new child she already had an array of pictures that she was eager to share with the world.
We find ways to tell people about what matters most to us. We are quick to tell others about the people we love or the team we pull for, but there is something more important we need to profess. Hebrews 13:5 proclaims: “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” The writer of Hebrews draws the hearer into the picture of the sacrifice at the Temple. But instead of the tradition of sacrificing doves or sheep or even a bull, we are invited to bring a sacrifice of praise. That praise is born in our open profession of love and faith found in the name of Jesus. That is news worth sharing with the world.
Tom Ogburn is senior pastor at First Baptist Church in downtown Knoxville.
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POWELL
Just call him The Amazing Mr. Partin
Mike Blackerby, Shopper News correspondent
At age 94, World War II veteran John Partin is quite the celebrity at the Community Center for seniors in Powell.
“Mr. Partin usually comes in two days a week,” said Janice White, director and board chairman for the center, which hosts a myriad of free events and activities for about 300 area seniors each month.
Partin, who still drives, is hardly your average nonagenarian. He usually works out at Tennova a couple of days a week before heading over to the Community Center.
“We just love him,” said White. “He comes in at least two days a week and plays bingo and cards with us. We’re always hugging and kissing on him.”
White said the mission statement of the Community Center is to help and assist seniors like Partin, whose wife of 70 years, Retha, died on Feb. 14, 2016.
The Partins even have a website, http://www.angelfire.com/tn/dad/index.html, that chronicles John and Retha's life together.
There are also vivid remembrances on the website by Partin of his service during World War II.
“Mr. Partin really needed that connectivity after his wife passed away,” said White.
“We find that there are a lot of people in that situation. They quit socializing, and this gives them a reason to get up and get going.”
Partin said the Community Center has been a blessing.
“I try to stay busy,” he said. “I go here at least two days a week and go to the senior exercise center three times a week where I do water aerobics and some exercises on machines. I try not to get too strong,” he said with a laugh.
In the Navy
Partin joined the Navy in 1942 and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II aboard the USS Hovey, a mine sweeper, and the USS Carmita, a supply vessel.
Like most World War II veterans, Partin is reluctant to talk about his experiences during the war.
“I’ve seen ships get hit with kamikaze attacks, seen ships shoot down planes and seen several ships get sunk. It seems kind of like a dream now.”
However, Partin was quick to recall one instance that has vividly stuck with him all these years.
“I was a signalman on our boat and I heard all of these people hollering. Fireworks started going off all over these ships, and I found out the war was over. We found out that Japan had surrendered.”
A final mail call
Partin was one of several area veterans who took part in HonorAir Knoxville’s most recent trip to Washington, D.C.
The program has flown more than 3,000 veterans, at no cost, to see the memorials built in their honor in the nation’s capital.
“It was real interesting and good,” said Partin. “They treated us like royalty.”
The veterans were surprised with a symbolic mail call on their return flight from Washington.
Long before the days of email, cellphones and texting, mail call was a much-anticipated way for enlisted men to get letters from back home.
“I got a letter from my daughter, Linda Gail Garrett. It said, ‘Daddy, I’m so proud of you for being in the Navy and I’m still proud of you.’”
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NORTH/EAST
Communities of faith gather for response on climate
Carol Z. Shane, Shopper News correspondent
Several communities of faith gathered recently at Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church to express their concern for global climate change.
Presented by Tennessee Interfaith Power & Light (TIPL), the event was titled “Caring for All Creation,” and three choirs presented music relevant to the topic.
Performing were the Agape Choir of Clinton Chapel under the direction of Marla Fox, the Church of the Savior Choir under the direction of Alexandra Engle and the Knoxville AME Zion District Church Choir under the direction of Doris Talley. The event was hosted by the Rev. John Butler and the Rev. Donna Butler of Clinton Chapel.
“Reverend Donna,” as she is known to her congregation, says, “My husband and I joined TIPL because we see the need of being good stewards over the earth as God has instructed his people to do. Our desire is to get more community involvement and reach out to others who desire to live in a better environment.”
According to its website, “the mission of the Tennessee Interfaith Power & Light is to spiritually respond to the challenges of the climate crisis through upholding the sacredness of all life, protecting vulnerable communities, and caring for the Earth.”
Louise Gorenflo, executive director of TIPL, says the nonprofit’s stance on environmental responsibility is “a moral issue” and that the choral event “was designed to build bridges in the community. Talking about climate change can be challenging for many reasons.” A “carbon tithe” was taken at the event’s conclusion. Funds from such a tithe go to support efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, offset environmental burdens placed on lower income and/or vulnerable communities, and finance other initiatives to reduce carbon footprints.
Other than funds, how does a choral concert help?
“Celebrating creation/Earth through music is a positive way to message the importance of caring for our planet,” says Gorenflo. “Through music people can feel connected to one another, and some of the issues/divisions surrounding politics, economics, and faith beliefs tend to evaporate. My hope for TIPL, and this event in particular, is to continue connecting with people where they are, enabling us to work together toward climate change action.
“We are called to protect the wholeness of life and to bring to life our love for the Creator. Caring for creation recognizes the utter sacredness and wholeness of life and the mystery of creation of which we are part, and that when we care for creation we worship the Divine.”
“Reverend Donna” agrees. “Prayerfully, others will take environmental concerns seriously, and progress will be made as we strive to live in a better place. Not only for us, but for the future generation and those who have yet to be born. Caring for the environment is a joint effort, and we need people to join in!”
Info: tennipl.org.
BEARDEN
Kids' hair salon cuts the boredom, poufs up the fun
John Shearer, Shopper News correspondent
When Dustin and Kendra Garrels had their first son, they did not like the hair-cutting place they went to after he finally received his first cut.
“It was awful and we never went back, and since then I started cutting his hair,” said Kendra Garrels.
But they kept hearing on the Nextdoor social website and elsewhere about great kids’ hair-cutting places in other cities where the people making posts used to live.
So by the time their second son came along, rather than keep looking, they decided to open their own shop like some of the people referenced.
The result is the first Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids franchised hair-cutting salon in Knoxville or Tennessee. Located in the commercial area near the Starbucks just across Montvue Road from West Town Mall, the store held its formal opening on April 21 after a soft opening several days earlier.
Balloon animals, face paining and spray tattoos were part of the festivities, and the youngsters received some free Dippin’ Dots ice cream with a haircut.
For Kendra Garrels, the opening itself has been a sweet reward. After deciding to open a franchise, the couple actually had trouble finding an ideal location that was conveniently located near Interstate 40 and not too far from their Hardin Valley home.
“We looked for a spot for four months,” she said. “Finding space that’s the right size was way harder than we ever imagined.”
The location they found at 7834 Montvue Center Way had been the site of the Laniakea Flotation Tanks health spa, so a construction equivalent of a buzz haircut was required to redo it almost completely into the hair salon.
A look inside this store now that the work has been finished might make a visitor with children think he or she has come to a play area rather than a place to get a haircut. Three toy vehicles – including a fire truck with a water hose – sit at the front and are used as barber chairs for younger children. Nearby are chairs where the older youngsters – and maybe even their fathers – can sit and play Xbox games while getting their hair cut, and even after they get finished.
In the back is a girls lounge area where young girls can feel like they are being treated like a young princess, complete with a little pampering. That area also has a blue and pink toy car chair.
The whole concept is that while having their hair cut, the youngsters can also cut out the feeling of having to sit formally and patiently in a chair.
“It’s great for distracting the kids,” Garrels said of some of the features. “Anything it takes to get the job done.”
The store also has a stuffed shark mascot by the front door. The name of the business came from store and franchise founder Scott Sharkey.
Besides the unique offerings, the wide range of children’s ages that can be served was what was also appealing to Garrels.
“It’s not just a baby salon,” she said. “If I have two or three kids, I don’t want to go to different places. I only want to go to one place.”
While the Garrels family was getting the inside of the salon ready to open and draw customers, they did some informal sales pitch work outside the facility as well. That included being at the recent Duck Duck Goose consignment sale and attending various PTA events in the local schools.
They also hired three licensed stylists, one of whom will serve as manager because both Garrels work regular jobs at Alcoa Corporation in Blount County.
“The stylists are awesome,” said Garrels, who, like her husband, is formerly from the Great Plains area and attended college in Kansas. “They have a passion for working with kids.”
While she will not be involved in cutting hair after being forced to cut her son’s by necessity, Garrels said she hopes to watch others cut hair at Sharkey’s for a long time.
“We hope to grow it,” she said of the business, which is open every day but Monday.
KARNS
Forever His Day Camp welcomes special needs families
Nancy Anderson, Shopper News correspondent
Karns Church of Christ seemed to be a place of happiness for 26 special needs kids who attended the Forever His Bible Camp at the church Saturday, April 14.
Started three years ago, the camp offers a day of respite for parents of mild, moderate, and severe special needs kids. The kids spend the day with two buddies each doing a multitude of highly sensory activities such as a black light game room, bounce house, puppets, a scavenger hunt, and of course lunch.
This event’s theme was “Down on the Farm” so the kids were treated to a petting zoo as well.
The church sponsors either a day camp, similar to vacation Bible school, or a party twice a year.
The camp gives the parents a chance to have a little time to themselves knowing their kids are safe with people who care and can deal with their special needs, whatever they may be.
Coordinator Kim Higginbotham said this event was pared down from past events due to construction at the church.
“Normally we have attendees from preschool to adult, but this spring we had to limit it to preschool to middle school. We have a 2½-year-old and a 14-year-old. We're having construction here at the church so we have limited space, but we weren’t going to cancel under any circumstances. It’s an important day for the kids and their parents.”
Higginbotham said she started the camp because as a former special needs teacher she’s aware that most activities for kids are geared toward typically developing kids.
It’s important for the parents, too, as they get a breather from childcare for a few hours.
“Families don’t get respite care. They rarely get a few hours to themselves to get things done or just go and enjoy themselves for a little while.
“Similar camps cost a fortune, but this one is free. We want it to be accessible to every child, even those with moderate to severe needs. We have kids with severe medical issues including cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, spina bifida, feeding tubes. Each child has two volunteers, we call them ‘buddies’, many of whom are doctors and nurses.”
The end game is to make Karns Church of Christ a place where all kids and families are welcome regardless of their special circumstances.
“We want to be inclusive, a place where parents can come and belong. We’ll do whatever it takes to make the child successful here. We have buddies or if I need to start a special class, whatever it takes because we want the parents to have a church home and community. We want them to know they’re not excluded or invisible, they’re very welcome here.”
Info: higginbotham.kim@gmail.com
OPINION
When you remodel, all the walls come down
Leslie Snow, Shopper News columnist
The walls of a house are there for a reason. They do more than protect us from the wind and the rain. They do more than keep the wilderness at bay. Walls allow us to hide ourselves from the rest of the world, to keep our private lives private.
But when you remodel your home, the walls come down, both literally and figuratively. When workers arrive at 7:30 in the morning and don’t pack up to leave until you’re putting dinner on the table, they learn a lot about you. Sometimes more than you want them to know.
They know, for instance, that I’m not dressed and ready to take on the day first thing in the morning. They know I don’t function well without my coffee, and unfortunately, they know about my special relationship with my yoga pants.
I try to convince myself that no one is paying attention to what I’m wearing, but sometimes I feel the need to explain. I find myself saying things like “When you work at home, you want to be comfortable.” Or “You know, I have three pairs of these leggings. I don’t really wear the same thing every day. It just looks like I do.”
It’s embarrassing to be an over-discloser, but right around the time I decide I don’t need to explain my daily hoodie rotation, one of the workers will say, “I see you’ve got your walking clothes on.” And I think, let’s not pretend, we all know they’re my walking clothes, and my working clothes, and my relaxing clothes. Come to think about it, there are at least 20 men in Knoxville who know I’m an outfit repeater and only one of them is my husband.
But that’s not all they know.
They know what I look like without makeup.
They know I don’t shower until midafternoon.
They know I’ve gotten to the point where I shower even when there are strange men in the house.
They know I like to drink white wine in the evening. (Note to self, buy more red solo cups).
They know I stress-eat chips and reward myself with chocolate.
They know I sometimes forget to throw my wrappers away.
They know I let my laundry pile up.
They know I talk to myself.
They know I talk to my dog. In a baby voice.
They’ve seen what’s behind my refrigerator and what’s under my bed.
They know I’m not a great housekeeper.
They know I spend too much time talking on the phone.
They know I’m a procrastinator.
They know I swear too much.
They know I laugh at my own jokes.
After three months of construction, my facade has faded. I can’t hide myself from the folks who’ve worked so hard to transform my outdated house. I’ve been exposed.
Most people see only what you choose to reveal to them. They see you at meetings, at the grocery store, or at social gatherings. They see you clean and tidy and ready to take on the day. But when you see people every day, in your home, for an extended period of time, they get to know the real you. Whether you want them to or not.
And now that I’ve been seen, I think it’s time to wrap up our remodeling project. I’ve had my walls taken down and I’m ready for them to go back up again.
Leslie Snow may be reached at snowcolumn@aol.com.
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